Ending Self Stigma for PTSD

Ending Self Stigma for PTSD (ESS-P) is a 9-session small-group (6-8 persons) course designed to help individuals with PTSD develop skills to effectively cope with stigma and minimize the internalization of stigmatizing beliefs and stereotypes. Sessions combine in-class lecture, discussion of relevance to group members' personal experiences, review and practice of strategies and skills, and group sharing, support, and problem-solving. Each session is designed to focus on a specific strategy for addressing self-stigma.

The comparison condition will consist of providing a pamphlet that discusses societal stigma and internalized stigma, and provides resources to help combat the effects of both. Participants will be given the informational pamphlet and study staff will discuss its content with the participant.